ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Sanction for 5595 electric Buses under Fame Phase-II
The Department of Heavy Industry has approved the sanction of 5595 electric buses to 64 Cities, State Government Entities,State Transport Undertakings for intra-city and intercity operationunder FAME India scheme phase II in order to give a further push to clean mobility in public transportation.
The Department had invited the Expression of Interest  from million-plus cities, smart cities, State/UT capitals and cities from special category states for submission of proposal for deployment of electric buses on operational cost basis.
Eight six proposals from 26 States/UTs for the deployment of 14988 e-Buses were received. After evaluation of these proposals as per EoI, on the advice of Project Implementation and Sanctioning Committee  the Government sanctioned 5095 electric buses to 64 Cities / State Transport Corporations for intra-city operation, 400 electric buses for intercity operation and 100 electric buses for last mile connectivity to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation .
Each selected City/STUsis required to initiate the procurement process in a time bound manner for deployment of sanctioned electric buses on operational cost basis. As per EoI, buses which satisfy required localization level and technical eligibility notified under FAME India scheme phase II will be eligible for funding under FAME India scheme phase II.
These buses will run about 4 billion kilometers during their contract period and are expected to save cumulatively about 1.2 billion liters of fuel over the contract period, which will result into avoidance of 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 emission.
Click here for the list of cities and number of buses
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Digitising Panchayat Offices
Panchayat being State subject, providing computers for Panchayats is primarily the responsibility of States/ Union Territories . However, Ministry, under the scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan  supplemented the efforts of all States by providing computers for Panchayats as proposed by States/UTs in their Annual Action Plan and approved by Central Empowered Committee, on a limited scale. For attaining the vision of Digital India, Bharat Net project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats by broadband in the country. The scope of Bharat Net on 30.06.2021 has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.
Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project  with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions , making them more transparent, accountable, and effective. The Ministry launched eGramSwaraj, a work-based Accounting Application for Panchayati Raj Institutions under the e-Panchayat MMP on 24th April 2020. This application encompasses all aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management etc, on a single digital platform including online payments.
Under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project funds are being provided to National Informatics Center Services Inc.  for central level support for maintenance of e-Panchayat applications.
So far, 2.53 lakh GPs have prepared and uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans  for 2022-23 on E-GramSwaraj. Under 14th Finance Commission, 1.44 lakh GPs and 91,607 GPs have carried out online transactions during 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. Similarly, 1.93 lakh GPs have carried online transactions under 15th Finance Commission during 2021-22. All States are making efforts to implement e-Panchayat MMP, based on their available resources and here is substantial improvement in adoption of digital applications by the States in PRIs functioning.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India Visits Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial at Ambadawe Village in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Ambadawe village  in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra today  where he performed pooja of the Asthi Kalash of Dr B. R. Ambedkar and paid floral tributes to Lord Buddha, Dr Ambedkar, Smt Ramabai Ambedkar and Ramji Ambedkar.
Speaking on the occasion, the President noted that in schools of Maharashtra, 7th November - the day on which Babasaheb had enrolled in the school in year 1900 - is celebrated as Student's Day. He appreciated this effort of the government of Maharashtra and said that every program associated with Babasaheb inspires us to realize the vision of a compassionate and egalitarian society. He said that we could consider celebrating 7th November as Student's Day across the country to commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar's devotion and importance he attached to education.
Noting that Ambadawe village has been given the name of 'Sphurti-Bhoomi', the President said that it is apt to call the ancestral village of Babasaheb 'Sphurti-Bhoomi' as he contributed in various fields throughout his life with full energy. According to the ideal of 'Sphurti-Bhoomi', there should be a social system in every village based on values like harmony, compassion and equality that Babasaheb always cherished.
The President was happy to note that the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  in association with Khadi Village Industries Corporation, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University and Bank of Baroda has undertaken various initiatives to make Ambadawe village self-reliant, apart from doing relief work for villagers affected by the Nisarga cyclone in June 2020. He expressed confidence that this collective effort to make people self-reliant by promoting small enterprises in the villages would prove to be transformative and there would be a substantial change in the lives of the villagers. He said that development and self-reliance should spread in the same way in other parts of rural areas of India. When our villages would be self-reliant, then only the resolve to build a self-reliant India would be fulfilled in the true sense.
The President said that Babasaheb advocated self-employment. He set up a firm to do business as a consultant in the trading of stocks and shares. He submitted a memorandum to Viceroy Linlithgow in 1942, demanding the participation of the underprivileged in the tenders of CPWD. Due to his extensive social and political responsibilities, Babasaheb could not give time to his entrepreneurial side. In the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb, opportunities are available to the youth of every section in every field.
Click here to see President's Speech
Ministry of Science & Technology
Power-packed Apex Committee meeting provides suggestions for finalization of draft STIP 2020
A power-packed Apex Committee meeting of the new Science, Technology & Innovation Policy STIP 2020 discussed various suggestions for the upcoming policy that will pave the way towards a knowledge-based economy.
The meeting on virtual mode chaired by Professor K Vijay Raghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and co-chaired by Dr. V K Saraswat, Member Science, NITI Aayog and Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, was held on November 26, 2020.
The draft STIP2020 policy was presented in the meeting. The distinguished thought leaders deliberated upon some big ideas and suggestions to be incorporated in the draft policy.
STIP 2020, India’s fifth National Policy for Science, Technology, and Innovation, aims to capture the aspirations of the entire nation through a decentralized, bottom-up, and inclusive approach. From open science to funding priorities; critical human capital to equity and inclusion; strategic technologies to traditional knowledge systems; science diplomacy to science communication – this policy promises a renewed STI ecosystem for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The STIP 2020 Secretariat has been established jointly by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser  and the Department of Science and Technology  to coordinate and execute the entire STIP 2020 policy-making process.
Secretaries of all science and several line ministries -- Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Dr. M Rajeevan, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy  Shri K. N. Vyas; Director-General Council for Scientific & Industrial Research  Dr. Shekhar Mande; Secretary, Department of Biotechnology  Dr. Renu Swarup; Secretary, Department of Space, Dr. K. Sivan; Secretary, Science, and Engineering Research Board  Prof. Sandeep Verma; Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Shri Vaidya Rajesh and Scientific Secretary, O/o Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI Dr. Arabinda Mitra participated and shared their insights and expectationsfrom the STIP 2020.
Heads of several national-level S&T institutions like Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc Bangalore; Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay; Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras; Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi; Prof. Jagdesh Kumar, VC, JNU; Prof. Umapathy, Director, IISER Bhopal; Dr. Sudhir K. Jain, Director, IIT Gandhinagar; Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati; Dr. Chandrima Shaha, President, INSA; Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore; Dr. Suresh, President, ISBA and from industry associations CEO, Invest India, Shri Deepak Bagla; S Raghupathy, Deputy Director General & In charge of Technology Department, CII & Mr. Dilip Chenoy, Secretary-General, FICCI along with other nominated members from various knowledge organizations provided their inputs to strengthen the new policy.
Dr Akhilesh Gupta, Head, STIP-2020 Secretariat made a presentation on policy formulation process and major recommendations contained in the draft policy document.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves combination involving LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management Limited’s acquisition of management rights over schemes of IDBI MF from IDBI Asset Management Limited
The Competition Commission of India  approves proposed combination involving LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management Limited’s acquisition of the management rights over the schemes of IDBI MF from IDBI Asset Management Limited
The proposed combination entails the following:
- LIC Mutual Fund Asset Management Limited ’s acquisition of the rights to manage and administer the schemes of IDBI Mutual Fund  from IDBI Asset Management Limited ;
- LIC Mutual Fund Trustee Private Limited ’s acquisition of the rights of trusteeship of the schemes of IDBI MF from IDBI MF Trustee Company Limited ;
- Consequently, the schemes of IDBI MF will form part of LIC Mutual Fund  with LIC AMC acting as the asset management company for the schemes of IDBI MF and LIC TC acting as the trustee company of the schemes of IDBI MF; and
- As part of consideration for the steps set out in paragraph [a – c] above, apart from lump sum consideration, IDBI AMC will also acquire certain non-controlling shareholding in LIC AMC.

The transactions set out at the paragraph  above is collectively referred to as the “Proposed Combination”.
LIC AMC/ LIC TC
Life Insurance Corporation of India  is the sponsor of LIC Mutual Fund . LIC is the ultimate parent company of LIC AMC and LIC TC. LIC AMC and LIC TC belong to the “LIC Group”. LIC AMC acts as the asset management company to LIC MF, while LIC TC acts as the trustee company of LIC MF in India. LIC AMC acts as an investment management advisor to LIC MF. It manages the investment portfolio and provides various administrative services to LIC MF.
IDBI MF/ IDBI AMC/ IDBI TC
The Target is the schemes of IDBI MF. IDBI Bank Ltd. is the sponsor of IDBI MF. IDBI AMC’s principal activity is to act as asset management company to the IDBI MF, while IDBI TC acts as the trustee company of IDBI MF in India.
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice-President confers Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards
VP calls upon media to recognize our cultural heritage and promote our talented artists
VP highlights historical disparities in acknowledging the achievements of distinguished personalities
India will reach its pinnacle on the global stage in 2047, Said Shri Dhankhar
VP lauds the resplendent display of Indian culture on the global stage during the G-20 summit
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today emphasized the need to promote India’s glorious cultural heritage of India, spanning over 5000 years. He called upon the media to recognize our cultural heritage and expressed the need to protect, support and nurture our artists in a structured manner.
Addressing a gathering after conferring the Sangeet Natak Akademi Amrit Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, in New Delhi today, the Vice President expressed his happiness in honoring the individuals whose contributions uphold the cultural heritage and pride of the nation.
Expressing his profound admiration for individuals, all above 75 years of age, awarded today, Shri Dhankhar highlighted the historical disparity in acknowledging the achievements of these distinguished personalities. Referring to many unsung heroes whose contributions have been recognised through Padma Awards in recent years, he noted the massive public approval of Awards to such individuals.
While describing veteran artists as the true defenders and architects of our cultural heritage, Shri Dhankhar stated that their invaluable contributions should have been recognized long ago. He also lauded the resplendent display of Indian culture on the global stage during the G-20 summit, and expressed confidence that with right leadership in place, India will reach its pinnacle on the global stage in 2047.
Quoting from Justice Ansaria's judgment, the Vice President recounted a conversation between a soldier and a professor and underlined that these individuals who have been honoured today are the real protectors of our cultural heritage.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of Law and Justice of India, Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS External Affairs and Culture, Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, senior officials from the Ministry of Culture, eminent artists from across the country and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Full text of the Vice President’s speech:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1957973
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Medical Devices notified as Drugs w.e.f. 1st April 2020 vide Notification dated 11th February 2020 issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to be governed under the provisions of Drugs  Order, 2013
Government is regulating 24 class of medical devices which have been notified/regulated as drugs under Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Of the above, 4 medical devices viz.  Cardiac Stents  Drug Eluting Stents  Condoms and  Intra Uterine Device  are scheduled medical devices for which ceiling prices have been fixed. These 4 medical devices are under price control. As regard remaining non-scheduled medical devices which are notified/regulated as drugs, NPPA is currently monitoring Maximum Retail Prices  under Para 20 of the DPCO, 2013 to ensure that no manufacturer/importers can increase the price more than ten percent in preceding twelve months.
2. The NPPA vide Notification dated 31st March, 2020 in pursuance of Notification No. SO 648, dated 11th February, 2020, stated that all medical devices shall be governed under the provisions of the Drugs  Order, 2013 w.e.f. 1st April 2020.
3. Thus, with effect from 1st April, 2020, all Medical Devices shall be regulated by the Government as Drugs for quality control and price monitoring. Therefore, the Maximum Retail Prices  of all the Medical Devices would be monitored by the Governmentunder the provisions of Para 20 of the DPCO, 2013 to ensure that no manufacturer/importer increases the MRP of a drug more than ten percent of MRP during preceding twelve month and where the increase is beyond ten percent of maximum retail price, it shall reduce the same to the level of ten percent of maximum retail price for next twelve months.
Further, as per Para 20 of the DPCO, 2013 read with the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the manufacturer/importer shall also be liable to deposit the overcharged amount along with interest thereon from the date of increase in price in addition to penalty.
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, Department of Pharmaceuticals,
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India
New delhi: 31stMarch, 2020
RCJ,/RKM
(Visitor Counter : 3231
Prime Minister's Office
PM interacts with recipients of Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2020
(Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi interacted with recipients of Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, here today. The awards were conferred by the President of India on 22 Jan 2020. The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day Parade.
The 49 awardees are from various states of India including one each from Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The children are winners in the fields of art & culture, Innovation, Scholastic, Social Service, Sports and Bravery. The Government of India acknowledges children as one of the most important partners in nation-building. Towards this end the Government gives these awards every year to recognize exceptional achievements of our children in the fields of innovation, scholastic achievements, social service, arts & culture, sports and bravery
Admiring the outstanding achievements of the children in different fields, the Prime Minister termed the work done by them at such a young age as amazing. He said, “I am proud to see the way in which you are fulfilling your duties towards society and the nation. It gives me that extra energy and the push to work harder when I hear the stories of bravery and achievements of our young comrades”
The Prime Minister asked the awardee children to work harder while being strongly rooted to the ground realities. “This recognition should be a beginning to achieve more and you should realise this is not an end in itself. And such awards will inspire your peers and other children to become achievers.”
PIB Headquarters
2.4 Kg Gold worth Rs. 88 lakhs seized by Customs at Chennai Airport
On Wednesday morning based on information that gold is likely to be smuggled by way of concealment in Indigo airline flight 6E 66 arriving from Dubai, the aircraft was rummaged by AIU team on arrival. During rummaging two packets wrapped in black adhesive tape were recovered from inside of life jacket kept beneath one of the seats. On opening the packets, gold in paste form was found concealed inside. On extraction 1.22 Kg gold valued at Rs. 48 lakhs was recovered and same was seized as unclaimed.
In another case today morning one Nihal Ahamed,27, of Ramanathapuram who had arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airline flight EK 542 was intercepted at exit. On personal search was found to have concealed gold in rectum and his wallet. Total 211 grams valued at Rs. 7.1 lakhs was recovered and seized.
On Tuesday night based on specific information one Anushka, 31, and Nishanthani, 29 , both Srilankan nationals who had arrived from Colombo by Air India flight AI 274 were intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. On persistent questioning both admitted to have concealed gold in rectum in paste form. On personal search, three bundles of gold paste were recovered and 805 grams of gold valued at Rs. 27.16 lakhs was extracted from the paste and same was seized.
In another case Tuesday night AIU officer on routine surveillance noticed one small ladies purse lying unattended in the indoor planter pot situated at the arrival hall. On examination three gold cut bars weighing 177 grams valued at Rs. 6 lakhs were recovered and same seized.
In total 2.4 Kg gold worth Rs. 88 lakhs was recovered and seized under the provisions of Customs Act 1962.
Further investigation is in progress, according to a press release issued by Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport, Chennai.
Ministry of Railways
No change in the rule related to booking of tickets for Children travelling in train
It is optional for passengers to buy ticket & book berth for children below 5 years
Free travel is allowed for children below 5 years, if no berth is booked
There have been some recent media reports that claim that Indian Railways has changed the rule with regards to booking of tickets for Children travelling in the train. These reports claim that now children between the age of one to four years will have to get a ticket for traveling in the train.
These news items and media reports are misleading. It is informed that Indian Railways has not introduced any changes with regards to booking of tickets for children travelling in the train. On the demand of the passengers, an option has been given to them to buy a ticket and book a berth for their under 5 year old child if they want. And if they don’t want a separate berth, then it is free, same like it used to be earlier.
A Circular dated 06.03.2020 of Ministry of Railways states that Children under five years of age shall be carried free. However, separate berth or seat shall not be given. Therefore purchase of any ticket is not required provided separate berth is not claimed. However, if berth/seat shall be sought on voluntary basis for children of age below 5 years then full adult fare shall be charged.
Prime Minister's Office
Vice President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker to jointly launch Sansad TV on 15 September
Vice President of India and Rajya Sabha Chairman, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla will jointly launch Sansad TV at the Main Committee Room, Parliament House Annexe on 15 September, 2021 at 6 PM. The launch date coincides with the International Day of Democracy.
About Sansad TV
In February, 2021, the decision to merge Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV was taken and the CEO of Sansad TV was appointed in March, 2021.
Sansad TV programming will primarily be in 4 categories – functioning of Parliament and democratic institutions, governance and implementation of schemes/policies, history and culture of India and issues/interests/concerns of contemporary nature.
President's Secretariat
President of India Presents Colour to Army Aviation Corps
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented Colour to the Army Aviation Corps in Nashik today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the Army Aviation Corps has earned 273 honours and awards for conspicuous gallantry and distinguished service. This speaks volumes about the exceptional valour and high spirit of the Corps personnel and is a model for all soldiers and officers of our armed forces. They have been excellent ambassadors of our country while operating overseas in countries like Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while serving at United Nations Peace Keeping Missions.
The President paid homage to the martyrs of the Army Aviation Corps and said that their blood and sacrifice have secured our sovereignty and brought glory to our nation. He said that members of the Army Aviation Corps have been true force multipliers in some of the most inhospitable terrain and adverse climatic conditions in the world. The Indian Army and the nation are proud of them.
Subsequently, the President visited the School of Artillery, Deolali and interacted with the gunners.